A Larchmont developer has accused a Dobbs Ferry architect of negligence for allegedly mishandling renovations of a Civil War–era structure in Irvington.
Jaxan Striano LLC demanded $750,000 from Michael Lewis Architects P.C., in a complaint filed on Nov. 7 in Westchester Supreme Court.
The architect and his firm were aware, the complaint states, “that the project documents, drawings and professional expertise they provided were false or inaccurate.”
Michael Lewis Architects did not reply to a message asking for its side of the story.
Jaxan Striano is owned by Julia Steinmetz, of Larchmont. In 2017, she bought a townhouse at 16 North Astor St., Irvington, for $1.45 million, according to county property records, and transferred the deed to Jaxan Striano.
The 3-story, mid-1800s structure is across the street from the train station in the village’s downtown historic district. Steinmetz’s plan, according to a 2020 Irvington Planning Board hearing, was to demolish the interior and reconfigure the building for commercial use and apartments.
Steinmetz hired Michael Lewis Architects, a firm that designs and renovates residential, commercial and industrial buildings, for the project.
“Our approach,” the architectural firm states on its website, “is to identify and enhance the best aspects of the original structure while introducing fresh ideas and current technologies to bring about a resolved outcome.”
Jaxan Striano claims that “numerous negligent misrepresentations” caused substantial delays, and that design and construction deficiencies had to be address to finish the work and obtain an occupancy permit.
The complaint does not describe any specific defects, say how long the project was delayed, or explain the basis for demanding $750,000 in damages.
Jaxan Striano is represented by White Plains attorney Stewart A. McMillan.
